1
as in enacting
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declaring
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specifying
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
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4
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying down
Verb
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The council is responsible for adopting the city budget, approving contracts, enacting local laws and representing residents on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to public safety and economic development.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
3 June 2026 -
The law prevents cities from enacting ordinances that dictate wage levels or working hours for employers.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Verb
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At least 15 laws in 11 states, including Alabama, Virginia and Louisiana, imposed new restrictions on declaring public health emergencies - declarations necessary to do things such as muster disease fighters and clear away red tape.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
4 June 2026
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Israeli forces have pushed miles into southern Lebanon, seizing control of a large swath of the neighboring country and forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee, declaring the area an active combat zone.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Calfee tandems are custom-built, with consumers specifying nearly all components, at an average price of $20k.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
1 June 2026
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The attacks took place near Jiyeh, about 12 miles south of the capital, Lebanon's National News Agency said, without specifying if there were casualties.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Consumers are intrigued by convenience, but at the same time clearly uneasy about relinquishing control.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Iranian media have emphasized that reopening the waterway to shipping does not mean Tehran is relinquishing its wartime claims over the strategic chokepoint.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Congress could also intervene, Budington said, by passing legislation that allows a private right of action after data breaches, allowing victims to pursue cases directly instead of relying on state laws or waiting for state attorneys general to take up a case.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
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The long days of summer feel designed for leisurely train travel, journeys that unfold at an unhurried pace and encourage travelers to settle in and enjoy the passing scenery.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Four Republicans joined with Democrats to support a resolution asserting the legislative branch's war authority and blocking further hostilities in the region.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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The language push comes amid signs of a shift in some other Gulf countries, where younger locals are no longer looking so much to the West for validation and are increasingly comfortable asserting their identity in their own language.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
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An iconic style from the brand hailing from the fall 2016 runway, the Kiki has amassed a legion of celebrity fans who have embraced the silhouette’s defining platform, towering block heel and unique buckle design leaving oval cut outs.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The r on my laptop keyboard, worn to breaking, will soon fall off, rendering that laptop lifeless.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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Of course, that club won the World Series, rendering Crane’s silence a footnote in a superb season.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20down. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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